The 2015 NS Mycological Society Foray currently has the following esteemed faculty attending:

Dr. David Malloch, Keynote Speaker

Born in Santa Cruz, California to Canadian and American parents. Went to San Francisco State University and earned a B.A. and M.A., studying fungi under the bolete expert Harry Thiers.

In 1965 went to the University of Toronto to do a Ph.D. with Dr. Roy Cain, an international authority on fungi. Ph.D. thesis was a taxonomic study of cleistothecial ascomycetes, a group of minute fungi found in a variety of habitats.

In 1970, fresh with new degree and lots of enthusiasm, took up a position as Research Scientist at Agriculture Canada in Ottawa. The position was to replace Dr. J. Walton Groves who had just recently passed away, and required specializing in mushrooms (steep leaning curve involved).

In 1975 returned to Toronto to take up a position as Assistant Professor of Botany at the University of Toronto, replacing the recently retired Roy Cain. Remained at U. of T. for 30 years, studying mycorrhizae, mushrooms, dung fungi, ant fungi, Penicillium, and lots of other things. Taught a 2-week marine biology course in St. Andrews, New Brunswick for 20 years.

Retired in 2002 and moved to Little Lepreau, Nw Brunswick, realizing a dream to be able to collect fungi withing a few feet of the front door. Became a Research Associate at the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John. Actively participates in the New Brunswick Museum's annual two-week biobltz, collecting mushrooms and writing lengthy field notes.

Dr. David Boyle

David has been interested in mushrooms for a long time. He started and ran Maritime MicroBiologicals Inc. (MMBI), this company doing R&D, primarily for industry. Fungi that increased plant growth (e.g. mycorrhizal fungi), degraded pollutants (bioremediation) or controlled insect pests (biological control) figured in varoius projects. MMBI also sold spawn for various edible mushrooms to commercial growers. David continues to make spawn and give workshops on growing mushrooms during his retirement.

Amanda Bremnar

Amanda is the Curatorial Assistant in Botany and Mycology at the New Brunswick Museum (since 2005). She is involved in a wide range of tasks relating to the upkeep and development of the NBM collections of fungi, lichens, algae, bryophytes, and vascular plants. Her work includes preparing and cataloguing specimens, responding to loan requests, assisting and collaborating with research associates, supervising volunteers and short-term staff, and contributing to public education. She also takes part in field work and mushroom forays. She specialises in the collection and identification of mushrooms and other fungi.

Dr. Scott Cunningham

Scott is a biologist with a doctorate in molecular biology,and sea kayaker who has explored the Atlantic coast by canoe and sea kayak for over two decades. In 1982 he established Coastal Adventures,and outdoor adventure and kayaking company. He has written of his experiences extensively in articles for outdoor magazines and has published Sea Kayaking in Nova Scotia,a detailed route guide (revised in 2000). He has photographed our coastline extensively and his work has appeared in several magazines and books depicting the region. Scott is an avid naturalist and co-founder of the Halifax Field Naturalists. His specialty is the mushroom flora of the region.

Dr. Gavin Kernaghan

Gavin is Associate Professor at Mount Saint Vincent Univeristy. He leads the Atlantic Root Symbiosis Lab,where research focuses on the ecology of fungi in northern forests. In particular the ecological relationships between plant communities and their root associated endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi. The lab combines mycorrhizal re-synthesis with a variety of DNA based identification techniques. Gavin is a director of the NS Mycological society and leads the mushroom identification and voucher specimen program for the Nova Scotia forays.